4 York Sites To Be In Estuary Study

Vims Program To Look At Environment

January 25, 1990|By RON SHAWGO Staff Writer

Researchers will put saltmarsh cordgrass, great blue herons, moon jellyfish and other York River inhabitants under a scientist's microscope to determine the effects nature and humans have on the nation's estuaries.

Plants and animals will be scrutinized at four sites chosen last year by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science as part of a national program to collect data about and find ways to preserve those areas where fresh and salt waters mix.

"Estuaries are some of the most productive bodies of water in the world," said Carroll N. Curtis, project director at VIMS. "Most of the problems with estuaries have been caused by man, and it behooves us to get on the ball."

The VIMS plan warns about one threat to the York River: a possible increase in salinity if its tributaries are tapped for drinking water.

The latest of these proposals is one by Newport News to divert water from the Mattaponi River in King William County and pipe it to Peninsula reservoirs. Plans to take water from the York's other tributary, the Pamunkey, have been batted around for years.

Withdrawing freshwater could make upper portions of the York more brackish, says the report. As a result, many plants and animals along the river might perish, Curtis said.

"Any of the proposals could have a devastating effect on the York River," Curtis said, adding that all of the proposal to take water from the tributaries are still being studied.

York areas in the study are the Goodwin Islands in York County; the Catlett Islands in Gloucester County; Taskinas Creek, part of York River State Park in James City County; and Sweet Hall Marsh in King William County.

Researchers will scrutinize water quality and effects of pollution, tidal influences and circulation of fresh and sea water.

A VIMS panel will determine exactly which projects to pursue after a screening process that takes about a year. The panel's recommendations will be forwarded to the Marine and Estuarine Management Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for approval.

When completed, the national system will consist of 27 regions along the nation's coasts.

The York sites were chosen because some research has been done at each, Curtis said.

The program is a popular one at VIMS, placing third on the institute's list of budget priorities put before the General Assembly, he said. The program will be supported by federal, state and private funds.

The research will continue indefinitely. There will be no excavating, mining or soil removal at the sites. Shorelines, stream beds, wetlands, forests, endangered species, fish and wildlife, water and air quality will be protected.

There will be no public access to the Catlett Islands and Sweet Hall Marsh, which are privately owned. The Goodwin Islands are owned by The College of Wil liam and Mary and access is secured from the school through permits for research and educational purposes.

The eastern portion of Taskinas Creek within York River State Park is used for recreation and environmental education programs. The western part will be closed to the public.

The park offers horseback riding, hiking, canoe trips, picnicking and fishing. The reserve management plan calls for an expansion of the auditorium, construction of a research and education center for overnight stays, hiking trail improvements, construction of a bookstore in the visitor center and a weather station.